New Music Roundup: July 2022

July was a month full of fantastic releases across all genres. Check out what our contributors have to say about some of their favorite music from this past month!

Guilty Pleasure by Cheem

Cheem caught my attention in 2020 when they started their “DIY beef” bit on Twitter. I got a good laugh out of their memes and quickly fell in love with their music. Now, two years later, they’ve released their new album, Guilty Pleasure, via Lonely Ghost Records! 

This release infuses punk rock with hyperpop, rap, pop, hip hop, and ska elements in a record that is extremely fun and catchy. This record explores the hardships of working within the music business and making art in a critical world –ultimately, Cheem just wants to be “free from constraints” and they convey that successfully in their bold music writing. My standout tracks are Snag, Clueless, and Pay2Play. Listen to and connect with Cheem here.

- Schuyler Spivey

“BLENDER” by 5 Seconds of Summer

The surprise release of “BLENDER,” The fourth single off of 5 Seconds of Summer’s upcoming album, 5SOS5, shocked fans after premiering it on their Take My Hand World Tour. A driving drum line and sick retro synths combine with lyrics detailing emotional turmoil to perfectly convey a chaotic, uncertain mindset.

- Megan Murayama

“43” by Florist

This gorgeous track comes off of the newly released self-titled album by the band. “43” is a six minute standout on the record featuring folky instrumentals and Emily Sprague’s soft and comforting vocals, and slowly becomes more hard hitting in its guitars and drums in its second half. The entire album is beautifully ambient and atmospheric, perfect for a rainy spring or summer day, and this track is no different. “43” will entrance you in its calmness before the storm that will ultimately blow you away later in the song, and it’s a perfect entry point into a band with consistently wonderful releases.

-Gianna Cicchetti

“Tattoo” by Young Culture

The rising band from Upstate New York, Young Culture, released another track that shows why they should be gaining the traction that they are. This catchy song not only is a great soundtrack to the summer, but it also feels a little nostalgic and similar to that early 2000s pop punk we all know and love. This song has been one that I’ve been listening to on repeat and has quickly become one of my favorite songs they have released so far. This song talks about a relationship that turned sour and giving your all to someone who doesn’t return the favor. Young Culture are out on tour right now supporting Broadside and I’m sure we’ll be seeing them on tour again later on this year.

-Kelly Hall

Aftershock by Alexander 23

Alexander 23 has finally released his debut album! After going viral on social media for his song “IDK You Yet” back in 2020, he has become known for his vulnerable lyrics and heartbreaking melodies. His music truly explores every emotion and even though some may consider this a “breakup album” you can still find yourself dancing along to tracks such as “Cosplay” and “If We Were A Party.” You can catch Alexander 23 touring his album later this year starting in October!

-Sierra Romano

“The Hard Way” by Pale Waves

I have been absolutely obsessed with the new Pale Waves singles that have been released this summer, and this single is no exception. It’s the third one that’s been put out, and it’s a song that starts out slow and builds up into an emotional ending. It’s a song that talks about the challenges of loss, and the eventual acceptance that happens after a period of grief. Pale Waves are going on a headlining tour across the U.S starting in September, and if you can, I’d highly recommend seeing them live!

-Lily Hoveke

“SELF-SABOTAGE” by Waterparks

No matter what year it is, Waterparks has always made music that should definitely be on your summer soundtrack! On July 8th, the group released “Self-Sabotage,“ a catchy, upbeat sounding track with darker-influenced lyrics. It’s a guitar heavy track with synth-pop influences and showcases what Waterparks does best-pull influence from a variety of genres to create a distinct sound of their own that’s almost impossible to replicate. “Self-Sabotage” is a song you will definitely want to listen to while driving with the windows down, make you want to dance, and listen nonstop. The group has been teasing their fifth album for awhile,but they have yet to announce a release date or a title, but considering the mysterious and chaotic nature of the group, make an effort to keep up with the band. Their latest album, “Greatest Hits” was full of surprises, so it wouldn’t shock me if PARX5 had even more!

-Isabella Flynn

Nocturnal by MOTHICA

Dark-pop artist MOTHICA released her 2nd full-length album Nocturnal (via her own imprint label with Rise Records, Heavy Heart Records) on July 1st! The introduction to the record is a beautifully haunting cover of the 1959 song “Sleepwalk” by Santo & Johnny. The dreamlike tune then suddenly builds into the electric title track “Nocturnal”, which made its debut on BBC Radio 1 the Wednesday ahead of the album release. MOTHICA herself calling it a “power anthem about owning your darkness”. Additionally, throughout the album we hear three interludes (fittingly titled I, II, & III) in which we are greeted by the voice of “Mr. Moon”- MOTHICA’s mysterious, yet lovable mothman character. The audio mimicking some sort of a vintage, guided sleep meditation. Other notable tracks on the record include “The Reckoning” (featuring rock band Polyphia’s Tim Henson) which brings us the heaviest guitar on a MOTHICA song yet that is a total badass anthem for revenge. A personal favorite of mine, the 17th and final track “Tears” closes out the album in a self-empowering, uplifting way. MOTHICA reflects on how she’s gotten to where she is now after all the obstacles and challenges she’s had to get through in her life as she declares, “look what i’ve made with my tears.”

Since I have been a huge MOTHICA fan for the past two years, I am currently obsessed with this album and highly encourage giving it a listen! You can currently catch MOTHICA on tour with Coheed and Cambria & Alkaline Trio!

-Sidney Green